Montreal Police Fire Seven Officers Over Racism and Misconduct Allegations

Montreal police chief Fady Dagher announced on Monday, November 2, 2026, the administrative dismissal of seven employees of the Service de police de la Ville de Montreal, the SPVM, in connection with allegations of discriminatory and racist behaviour and derogatory acts. Five of the dismissed employees worked at Station 39 in Montreal-Nord and two at Station 21 downtown. Dagher told a Monday afternoon news conference that the dismissals are unprecedented in the history of the force.

The firings are administrative, not criminal findings. Dagher said the employees lost their accreditation after reviews of their good character and conduct. "By administratively dismissing these individuals, we can provide assurance that they will no longer wear the uniform, nor will they carry a weapon or continue to serve the citizens of Montreal," he said. Six of the seven dismissed officers had previously been suspended. The force has turned its investigative files over to Quebec's Crown prosecution office, the DPCP, which will decide whether to file criminal charges. No decision on charges has been announced.

Station 39 and the June investigation

Station 39 has been at the centre of a racism scandal since June, when Dagher disclosed that 16 officers were under investigation over alleged hateful acts against Black and Arab people during police stops. Dagher confirmed earlier this year that the allegations include claims that officers at the station cut the hair of racialized civilians to keep as trophies. Those claims remain allegations. Dagher said the Station 39 dismissals are linked to the ongoing criminal investigations into the station scandals that have made headlines since June, and that the allegations involve discrimination, racism and vulnerable people.

Station 21 and a disputed allegation

Dagher said the two Station 21 dismissals are linked to racism and conduct towards vulnerable people. La Presse has reported that one of those officers allegedly urinated on a homeless person and that a second allegedly posed for photos mocking suspects under arrest in humiliating positions. Dagher said on Monday that the urination allegation as reported does not correspond to anything in the internal investigations. He said there is a case involving a dishonourable act of a similar nature, but not directed at a human being, and that case is being investigated by the Bureau des enquetes independantes, the province's police watchdog.

Radio-Canada reported last week that an officer responding to a call in connection with conjugal violence allegedly erased evidence on a smartphone provided by a complainant. Dagher did not confirm on Monday whether that officer was one of the seven dismissed.

Reaction in Montreal

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada praised the decision in a brief statement. "The SPVM has taken an unprecedented step toward rebuilding public trust. No one is above the rules," the statement said. Fo Niemi, executive director of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations, known as CRARR, said he hopes the dismissals set a precedent. Dagher closed the news conference with a direct message to critics of the force. "Some people say there are never any consequences at the SPVM. Today we are announcing exceptional measures," he said.

CBC Montreal published a follow-up on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 8:03 a.m. ET, in which the chief reveals more about what led to the seven officers being fired. The story is still developing. Any decision by the DPCP on criminal charges, or any further dismissals, will update this report.